FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 1784

C 281 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Improving coordination of services for children's mental health.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Darneille, Upthegrove, Chase, Linville, Wallace, Kagi, Kessler, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Wood, Dickerson, Santos, Simpson and Morrell).

House Committee on Children & Family Services

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services & Corrections

Background:

The 2001-02 Biennial Budget directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to study children's public mental health services in Washington. The proviso was limited in scope and asked JLARC to make recommendations as appropriate for the improvement of services and system performance.

On August 7, 2002, JLARC completed its study on children's mental health. The JLARC recommendations included the following:

1.   The DSHS, as a coordinating agency, should identify issues that limit its ability to coordinate children's mental health programs, and should make changes to support cross program collaboration and efficiency.

2.   The DSHS Mental Health Division (MHD) should continue to implement and collect reliable mental health cost service data to support an outcome reporting system specific to children's mental health.

3.   The Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) and MHD should jointly revise the early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment plan (EPSDT) to reflect the current mental health system structure.

4.   The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the DSHS/MHD should identify examples of mental health and education systems coordination and share this information among other school districts, Regional Support Networks, and other agencies.

5.   The Legislature should update statutes to reflect a focus on improvement of cost, service, and outcome data and eliminate the requirement to maintain an inventory of children's mental health services.

Summary:

The DSHS is required to implement the following recommendations within available funds:

1.   The DSHS shall identify internal business operation issues that limit the agency's ability to meet statutory intent to coordinate existing categorical children's mental health programs and funding.

2.   The DSHS shall collect reliable mental health cost, service, and outcome data specific to children. This information must be used to identify best practices and methods of improving fiscal management.

3.   The DSHS, in consultation with the Office of Financial Management (OFM), is required to develop a plan for the early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment services and revise the plan as necessary to conform to changes in the system structure.

4.   The DSHS and the OSPI shall jointly identify school districts where mental health and education systems coordinate services and resources to provide public mental health care for children. These agencies shall work together to share information about these approaches with other school districts, regional support networks, and state agencies.

The DSHS is required to submit an initial report on the status of the implementation of these above recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by June 1, 2004. A final report must be provided no later than June 1, 2006.

The requirement for the DSHS to maintain an inventory of children's mental health services is eliminated.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 94  0

Senate 44  0    (Senate amended)

House 98  0    (House concurred)

Effective: July 27, 2003